Bennett Christmas and Skiing

Fall/Winter 2010

So it has been a long time since I have posted out here--with the new format, Mark is so much better at it, I normally just leave it to him! I took a bunch of pictures from my camera, though, so I figured I would post them. Our most recent activity was the Christmas blizzard that came on the 26th. On the 27th, Mark was at work and it was still too cold and snowy to go outside, so Bennett wore more out switching from activity to activity...here are a couple of good pictures of our fun! There are also Halloween pics and Annie's 30th birthday party...enjoy!

Family Photo

We finally got around and had some real family photos done. Since I am always taking photos, we have a lot of Ali & Bennett. Last week we were visiting our friends in NOVA and decided to set up a shoot with my friend Marta in Fredericksburg, VA. Despite the cold weather and the 7+ hour car trip down the day before, Bennett was real good for the camera. Not for long though. A little break down at the end but it was all worth it!

Uncle Alan & Santa

Bennett got to see Santa this weekend and apparently feels the same about the big guy as he does his Uncle A!!!

Video update!

Random videos from my phone and other sources from throughout the summer until now.

radndom phone videos from Mark Smith on Vimeo.

On the Farm

This past weekend Bennett and I went down to DC as Mark finished up the details for the opening of our Tasti D Lite this week!  We had a great time playing with the Babcocks.  Julie, Brayden, Bennett and I went to a fall festival out in western VA and Bennett was able to see his first live, in-person cows, pigs, goats and chickens--enjoy!

Apple Picking | Apple Eating

Yesterday we went apple picking with our friends Brian, Karen, & Andrew. Bennett spent most of the day eating apples. More pics coming soon!

Bennett Stop Motion | From Ali's B-day video

I made this about 2 months ago for Ali's 30th B-day video.  My first try at doing a stop motion style video.

BENNETT STOP MOTION from Mark Smith on Vimeo.

Pee pee in the toilet!

As we get ready for Bennett to start school next week, we have been encouraging him to use the toilet.  At Montessori, they make toileting part of the routine to validate that they can do it when they are ready.  We have made it part of our bath time routine--while the tub is filling, he sits on the toilet and I encourage him to go.  Last night he did!  Not really exactly the first time he did it on his own, but first time still!

Summer Shots!

I know that Mark is planning on posting about a thousand pictures from our trip to Disney, however, I wanted to share some from the summer that I just took from my camera.  Not quite as good as the last video Mark posted, but it is a nice effort, right? :-)  The beach pic is just a random day that Bennett and I headed to the beach after work.  We met another family that Bennett played with for a while in the sand.  The pics from the boat and restaurant are from Aaron's birthday dinner and boat trip that was really windy and bumpy (the boat, not the restaurant).  Finally, the bike--we bought Bennett a great yellow trek helmet and this excellent trailer.  However, he HATES it. Yells at the top of his lungs anytime we even take him near it.  I even sat in it with him and he still didn't like it.  We are easing him into it bit by bit because Mark and I really want him to enjoy it so that we can get some exercise...maybe next summer!!